Springs Tries To Green Its Streets

COMMUNITY NEWS

Give-away Program Getting Mixed Responses From Residents

CORAL SPRINGS — The city is offering an exception to the adage "you can't get something for nothing."

In a program called Operation Street Tree, the city gives away live oaks, mahoganys and red maples.

Problem is, the city is having a hard time finding takers.

The first eligible neighborhood to be offered trees was Village Green, where about 40 percent of the residents called to claim trees, said Keith Moale, parks and recreation superintendent.

"I am amazed at the lack of participation in Village Green," said Moale, who speculated that many people don't want the hassle or expense of maintaining the trees. "I think it's the economy. I think it's a sign of the times."

Moale started the program in the summer of 1993 to supply trees to baren swales in neighborhoods built before 1976. After 1976, developers were required to plant trees in the grassy areas between sidewalks and roads.

About 40 Coral Springs neighborhoods are eligible for the program, Moale said. He hopes to reach all within five years.

After selecting a neighborhood, city workers put fliers on residents' doors explaining the program and providing a phone number for people to call to claim their free tree.

Just one kind of tree is offered in each neighborhood. Residents with trees already in their swales aren't eligible.

One area, just east of the Coral Springs Mall, is scheduled to get trees within the next two weeks. The area is known as Electra Lab and includes the subdivisions of Pine Hollow, Riverview and Village Green Resub.

There, Moale got an enthusiastic response. Of 20 eligible homeowners, almost all of them asked for trees, he said.

"I'm real pleased," said Betty Pakan, who is scheduled to get a live oak within two weeks.

"We had live oak trees in this neighborhood that were planted by the developer. Some have died, unfortunately." Planting the trees "makes a green umbrella. It's very nice," she said.

Including labor, the city spends about $110 to $120 on each 12-foot tree, Moale said. A homeowner ought to expect to pay between $150 and $200 a year to fertilize, prune and mulch each tree.

Moale has $40,000 each year for street trees. The money has been collected from developers who, following city laws, have paid for trees they destroyed when building.

Last year, though, Moale spent just about half his street-tree budget. He attributed that to the lack of interest in Village Green and delays in getting the program going.

Neighborhoods Moale plans to contact this year include Glenwood, The Windings, Clusters, The Dells, Country Club and Oakwood.

"The program is wonderful," said Raymond Taylor, a Village Green resident who got three live oaks a few weeks ago. "I'm all in agreement with it because it helps to improve the neighborhood."